LOS ANGELES (BN24) — A bizarre audio message from Sean “Diddy” Combs, in which he refers to his ex-girlfriend as his “crackpipe,” was played aloud in a Los Angeles courtroom Tuesday, drawing public attention as testimony continued in the music mogul’s high-profile civil trial.
The recording, submitted as evidence during the cross-examination of the woman testifying under the pseudonym “Jane,” was part of an effort by Combs’ legal team to challenge her claims of abuse and coercion. The audio, reportedly from a 2023 getaway to Turks and Caicos, captures Combs speaking affectionately and candidly.
“You are the crackpipe,” Combs says in the message, laughing as he offers the term as a nickname. “That’s my new name for you: crackpipe. Or should I call you CP?” he continues before reminiscing about their time together and urging her to “stay in the light” and get rest.
The court-approved playback of the message marked a notable moment in the sixth day of testimony from Jane, who dated Combs from 2021 to 2024 and is testifying under a pseudonym due to the sensitive nature of the allegations.
Jane previously testified that Combs called her “crackpipe” because of his alleged obsessive and controlling behavior during their relationship. Her account has been central to the civil lawsuit alleging sexual abuse, human trafficking, and emotional manipulation. Combs denies the claims.
During Tuesday’s proceedings, defense attorney Teny Geragos used the recording to argue that the relationship was consensual and emotionally complex, not predatory. Geragos suggested that Jane’s influence over Combs included her ability to manipulate situations by offering or withholding sex. The line of questioning appeared aimed at portraying Jane as an active, willing participant rather than a coerced victim.
Jane has continued her testimony for nearly a week, recounting incidents she says demonstrate a pattern of manipulation and control by Combs over the course of their three-year relationship. The trial has drawn intense media coverage, particularly as it follows multiple lawsuits recently filed against Combs alleging misconduct spanning years.
Combs’ team has repeatedly denied all accusations, calling them false and defamatory. The civil case remains ongoing, with further testimony and evidentiary review expected in the coming days.
BRASÍLIA (BN24) — Brazil’s Supreme Federal Court has reached a majority decision to make social media companies legally responsible for user-generated content, in a precedent-setting ruling that could reshape digital policy across Latin America and strain relations with the United States.
With Justice Gilmar Mendes casting the decisive sixth vote on Wednesday, a majority of the 11-member court now supports holding platforms such as Meta, X (formerly Twitter), and Microsoft accountable for illegal content posted by their users. While voting continues, the simple majority already secured guarantees the legal shift, pending final publication of the decision.
The ruling marks a fundamental shift from Brazil’s current legal framework, which limits platform liability to situations in which companies fail to remove content after receiving a court order. Under the new interpretation, companies may now face lawsuits and fines even before judicial directives are issued.
Justice Mendes’ vote followed mounting concerns over harmful online content, including increasing incidents of fraud, the circulation of child pornography, and social media posts linked to school violence. The Court had consolidated two cases for judgment to establish a broad precedent on regulating social media liability.
Justice Flávio Dino, the first to vote Wednesday, cited the role of social media in encouraging recent school shootings. He read from a post by a user who celebrated the grief of families affected by such attacks. “I think social media has not brought us closer to the best aspects of humanity,” he said.
Only one justice, André Mendonça, has publicly dissented thus far. In his previously released opinion, Mendonça emphasized the importance of digital free expression as a tool for holding public and private power to account. He cautioned that holding platforms liable for third-party content could lead to excessive censorship and stifle democratic discourse.
The ruling arrives as digital regulation increasingly becomes a flashpoint in U.S.-Brazil relations. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently warned of potential visa sanctions against foreign officials accused of infringing on the free speech rights of American citizens. One of the figures reportedly under scrutiny is Brazilian Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who has led crackdowns on platforms accused of failing to comply with Brazilian legal directives.
The broader implications of the decision remain uncertain. Although it would effectively become binding once the full ruling is published, Brazil’s National Congress retains the authority to pass new legislation that could override the court’s interpretation.
Alvaro Palma de Jorge, a law professor at the Getulio Vargas Foundation in Rio de Janeiro, defended the court’s proactive stance. “Platforms need to adopt precautions that go beyond simply waiting for a judge to act,” he said. “The current model is no longer adequate given the scope and scale of online harm.”
The decision aligns Brazil more closely with the European Union’s regulatory approach, which increasingly compels tech companies to monitor and manage content actively. However, critics warn the policy could have unintended consequences for freedom of speech and market competition.
The Brazilian Chamber of Digital Economy, an advocacy group for technology companies, issued a statement opposing the decision. “This type of liability favors large, multinational platforms with extensive legal resources, to the detriment of smaller domestic companies,” the group said, arguing that the ruling would “erect barriers to innovation and increase the risk of preemptive censorship.”
The debate over platform regulation has intensified in Brazil since the January 8, 2023 insurrection, when supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro stormed the Congress, the presidential palace, and the Supreme Court in Brasília. That riot, partially organized and incited on social media platforms, galvanized public and judicial scrutiny over the role of digital companies in fostering political instability and violence.
Final implementation of the court’s decision depends on the full publication of its ruling, after which companies could begin facing civil liability for unlawful user content. The legislature may still intervene with statutory changes to alter the impact of the ruling, though the timeline for such action remains unclear.
As Brazil takes a leading role in Latin America’s push for digital accountability, the Supreme Court’s decision signals a shift toward increased regulatory scrutiny of tech giants — with global implications for how democratic societies balance freedom of expression and online safety.
AHMEDABAD, India (BN24) — A British-Indian man who survived the devastating Air India Flight AI171 crash in Ahmedabad has described the chaos and carnage following the aircraft’s impact, as authorities confirmed he was the lone known survivor in a tragedy that claimed numerous lives.
According to NDTV, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a British national of Indian origin, was identified by local police as the only survivor from the Boeing 787 Dreamliner that crashed shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Thursday. The flight was en route to London’s Gatwick Airport with 244 people onboard.
Ramesh, who has lived in London for the past 20 years, told The Hindustan Times that approximately 30 seconds after takeoff, he heard a loud explosion. “It all happened so quickly,” he said from a hospital bed. “When I got up, there were bodies all around me. I was scared. I stood up and ran. There were pieces of the plane all around me.”
The survivor said he suffered multiple injuries to his chest, eyes and feet. He was reportedly seated apart from his brother Ajay Kumar Ramesh, whose condition remains unconfirmed.
Video circulating on social media appears to show a man limping away from the wreckage and being assisted by emergency personnel near the Meghani Nagar crash site. Authorities have not confirmed the identities of other victims.
Ahmedabad Police Commissioner Sanjay Srivastava said Ramesh was found conscious amid the debris and rushed to a local hospital. His account provides the first eyewitness narrative from within the doomed flight, which crashed into a residential neighborhood just five minutes after takeoff.
This photo shared by India’s Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) shows debris of a plane that crashed in the northwestern Indian city of Ahmedabad, in Gujarat state, Thursday, June 12, 2025. (CISF via AP)
In a video statement released Thursday evening, Air India CEO Campbell Wilson expressed “deep sorrow” over the incident and pledged full support for victims and their families. “This is a difficult day for all of us at Air India,” he said. “Our efforts now are focused entirely on the needs of our passengers, crew members, their families, and loved ones.”
Wilson confirmed that injured passengers — including the sole survivor — had been transported by emergency responders to nearby hospitals. “Investigations will take time, but anything we can do now, we are doing,” he added.
The crash of Flight AI171 marks the first fatal accident involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner and triggered a massive emergency response from India’s civil aviation and disaster relief agencies. The cause of the crash is under investigation by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation and other national and international authorities.
PHILADELPHIA (BN24) — A United States court sentenced a 25-year-old Nigerian man to five years imprisonment Tuesday for his role in a sextortion conspiracy that resulted in a teenager’s death, marking a significant prosecution in international cybercrime enforcement.
Samuel Abiodun received the sentence from US District Judge Joel Slomsky in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania after pleading guilty to money laundering conspiracy and wire fraud charges related to the fatal sexual extortion case involving a young victim.
US Attorney David Metcalf for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania announced the sentencing Wednesday, revealing that Abiodun operated alongside accomplices in the deadly scheme that targeted vulnerable teenagers through online platforms.
Abiodun was arrested in Nigeria by the FBI and extradited to the United States in July 2024, along with co-conspirator Afeez Aina. Following their extradition, both men faced charges in August 2024 for their participation in the international sextortion operation.
The court proceedings revealed that Abiodun functioned as the financial middleman in the conspiracy, processing money obtained through the extortion scheme. His co-defendant Aina pleaded guilty in May 2025 to multiple charges including cyberstalking, interstate threat to injure reputation, receiving proceeds of extortion, money laundering conspiracy, and wire fraud.
Aina faces sentencing on August 11 and could receive a statutory maximum of lifetime imprisonment for his crimes. A third accomplice, Afeez Adewale, remains in Nigeria pending extradition and has been charged in absentia with money laundering conspiracy and wire fraud.
Metcalf characterized Abiodun’s role as crucial to the operation’s success, stating that “as the financial middleman, Abiodun played a key role in this sextortion scheme, which thoroughly traumatized the victim and then devastated his family.”
The prosecutor emphasized the devastating impact of such crimes on victims and their families, noting that the scammers showed “absolutely no regard for their feelings or the potential fallout” while pursuing financial gain from scared and vulnerable young people.
“These scammers’ sole aim is to get money from scared and vulnerable young people, with absolutely no regard for their feelings or the potential fallout,” Metcalf explained. “In prosecuting this case, we are bringing to justice the men whose actions resulted in truly indelible harm.”
The case represents part of broader US Department of Justice efforts to combat international cybercrime targeting American citizens. Metcalf issued a warning to other potential perpetrators, stating that “the Department of Justice’s reach is long, and if they keep extorting innocent Americans, they could find themselves in an American prison.”
The successful prosecution required extensive cooperation between US and Nigerian authorities. Metcalf acknowledged the essential support provided by Nigerian security agencies in facilitating the extradition process.
“The support and assistance of Nigerian security authorities was essential to this effort, notably that of Nigeria’s Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, the Federal Ministry of Justice’s International Criminal Justice Cooperation Department, and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission,” Metcalf stated.
The case highlights the growing international cooperation in prosecuting cybercriminals who operate across borders to target victims in different countries. Sextortion schemes typically involve criminals obtaining compromising images or videos of victims and then threatening to distribute the material unless payment is made.
The tragic outcome of this particular scheme, resulting in a teenager’s death, underscores the severe psychological impact such crimes can have on young victims. Law enforcement agencies continue emphasizing the importance of reporting such incidents and seeking help rather than complying with extortion demands.
The sentencing represents a significant milestone in US efforts to hold international cybercriminals accountable for crimes that cause severe harm to American victims, particularly vulnerable teenagers targeted through social media and online platforms.
**EDS: VIDEO GRAB**Ahmedabad: Smoke billows after a plane crashed near Ahmedabad airport, Thursday, June 12, 2025. (PTI Photo)(PTI06_12_2025_000070A)
AHMEDABAD, India (BN24) — Air India confirmed Thursday that passengers aboard its London-bound flight that crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad airport included citizens from India, Britain, Portugal and Canada, marking the first-ever crash of a Boeing 787 aircraft.
**EDS: VIDEO GRAB**Ahmedabad: Smoke billows after a plane crashed near Ahmedabad airport, Thursday, June 12, 2025. (PTI Photo)(PTI06_12_2025_000070A)
The airline reported the flight was carrying 242 passengers and crew members overall, though Indian officials had previously stated 244 people were aboard the aircraft. Air India specified that among those on the flight were 169 Indians, 53 British citizens, seven Portuguese nationals and one Canadian passenger.
Local television channels broadcast footage showing smoke billowing from the crash site near the airport in Ahmedabad, a northwestern Indian city with a population exceeding 5 million residents.
Faiz Ahmed Kidwai, director general of the directorate of civil aviation, told The Associated Press that Air India flight AI 171, operating a Boeing 787-8 aircraft, crashed into a residential area called Meghani Nagar approximately five minutes after departing at 1:38 p.m. local time.
The flight carried 232 passengers and 12 crew members and had been scheduled to arrive at London’s Gatwick Airport, according to Kidwai’s statement. Gatwick Airport confirmed on social media platform X that the flight, originally due to arrive at 6:25 p.m. London time, had crashed during departure from Ahmedabad.
India’s Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu posted on X that rescue teams had been mobilized with all efforts focused on ensuring medical aid and relief support reached the crash site.
“We are on highest alert. I am personally monitoring the situation,” the minister stated in his social media post.
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner involved in the crash represents a widebody, twin-engine aircraft design. According to the Aviation Safety Network database, this incident marks the first crash in the operational history of Boeing 787 aircraft.
Boeing introduced the 787 Dreamliner in 2009, and more than 1,000 units have been delivered to dozens of airlines worldwide, according to flight tracking website Flightradar24.
Air India Chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran emphasized that the airline’s immediate priority centered on supporting affected individuals and their families. He announced on X that Air India had established an emergency center and dedicated support team to assist families seeking information about flight passengers.
“Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the families and loved ones of all those affected by this devastating event,” Chandrasekaran stated in his message.
The crash represents a significant aviation incident for Air India and the broader aviation industry, given the 787’s previously unblemished safety record since entering commercial service. The international composition of passengers aboard the flight underscores the global nature of the tragedy, affecting families across multiple countries.
Emergency response teams continue working at the crash site in the Meghani Nagar residential area, where the aircraft came down minutes after takeoff. The proximity of the crash site to populated areas raises additional concerns about potential ground casualties and property damage.
Air India’s London route represents one of the carrier’s key international connections, serving significant Indian diaspora populations in the United Kingdom as well as business and leisure travelers between the two countries. The airline’s emergency response protocols have been activated to manage the crisis and provide support to affected families.
The Aviation Safety Network’s confirmation that this represents the first Boeing 787 crash will likely prompt intensive investigation by aviation authorities to determine the cause of the accident. The 787 Dreamliner’s safety record had been considered exemplary throughout its operational history spanning more than a decade.
Rescue operations continue at the crash site as authorities work to account for all passengers and crew members aboard the flight, while emergency services coordinate medical response efforts for any survivors.
WASHINGTON (BN24) — President Donald Trump encountered a divided audience reaction Wednesday night at the Kennedy Center’s opening performance of “Les Misérables,” drawing both boos and cheers as he attended his first show at the venerable performing arts institution since his election while continuing his controversial overhaul of the center.
The drama unfolding in the audience rivaled the theatrical spectacle on stage as Trump took his seat alongside first lady Melania Trump for the three-hour musical production. Near the end of intermission, someone loudly cursed the president’s name, drawing applause from portions of the crowd. Several drag queens attended the performance as a form of protest against Trump’s previous complaints that the Kennedy Center had hosted too many drag shows.
Despite the vocal opposition, the evening maintained what observers described as a “MAGA-does-Broadway” atmosphere. Ric Grenell, Trump’s appointed interim leader of the Kennedy Center, attended alongside Vice President JD Vance and his wife Usha. Before the curtain rose, Attorney General Pam Bondi mingled with guests while Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. posed for selfies with attendees. Conspiracy theorist Laura Loomer, who has advised Trump on personnel decisions, posted video from her seat near the stage.
Trump and the first lady walked the red carpet upon arrival at the Kennedy Center, which the president has been systematically remaking in his image while removing what he characterizes as liberal ideology from its programming.
“We want to bring it back, and we want to bring it back better than ever,” Trump stated regarding his vision for the institution.
The Republican president has expressed particular fondness for “Les Misérables,” the sprawling musical set in 19th-century France, occasionally incorporating its songs into his political events. One featured song, “Do You Hear the People Sing?,” serves as a revolutionary rallying cry inspired by the 1832 rebellion against the French monarchy.
The evening’s production featured traditional singing and dancing accompanied by sounds of explosions and gunfire as protesters and soldiers clashed on stage. For Trump critics, the theatrical violence created an unsettling parallel to current events in Los Angeles, where the president has deployed National Guard troops in response to protests over his deportation policies.
California Governor Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, responded to Trump’s attendance on social media, writing “Someone explain the plot to him.”
Audience members displayed varying reactions to the president’s presence. Terry Gee, a bartender who purchased his ticket in November, expressed indifference to Trump’s attendance. Attending his sixth performance of “Les Misérables,” Gee stated, “I’m going to enjoy the show regardless.”
Hannah Watkins, a nurse, learned of Trump’s planned attendance only when the Kennedy Center distributed information about enhanced security measures. “I’ve seen a lot of famous people so far, which is exciting,” said Watkins, who secured a position near the VIP entrance with her mother. “Honestly, we just like ‘Les Mis’ and are excited to be here.”
Historically, presidential involvement in Kennedy Center affairs remained limited to appointing board trustees and attending annual honors program tapings. However, following his January return to office, Trump stunned the arts community by dismissing the center’s longtime director and board, replacing them with loyalists who subsequently named him chairman. Trump has promised comprehensive overhauls of programming, management, and physical appearance as part of his effort to influence the national arts landscape.
These changes have generated significant opposition among patrons and performers. In March, audiences booed the Vances when they attended a National Symphony Orchestra performance in upper-level seats. Trump has appointed Usha Vance to the Kennedy Center board alongside Bondi, White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, and Fox News hosts Maria Bartiromo and Laura Ingraham.
Subscription package sales have reportedly declined since Trump’s takeover, while several touring productions, including “Hamilton,” have canceled planned Kennedy Center runs. Actor Issa Rae and musician Rhiannon Giddens withdrew from scheduled appearances, and Kennedy Center consultants including musician Ben Folds and singer Renée Fleming resigned their positions.
Understudies may have performed certain roles Wednesday night due to boycotts by regular “Les Misérables” cast members, though Trump dismissed concerns about performer absences, stating “I couldn’t care less.”
Since returning to the White House in January, Trump has adopted an increasingly aggressive stance toward arts institutions. The administration has moved to cancel millions of dollars in previously awarded federal humanities grants to arts and culture organizations, while Trump’s budget blueprint proposes eliminating both the National Endowment for the Arts and National Endowment for the Humanities.
Trump has also targeted Smithsonian museums through executive orders restricting funding and attempts to remove the National Portrait Gallery director. The president has characterized previous Kennedy Center programming as “out of control with rampant political propaganda,” citing what he termed “some very inappropriate shows,” including a “Marxist anti-police performance” and “lesbian-only Shakespeare.”
The Kennedy Center, supported through government funding and private donations, opened in 1971 and has traditionally maintained an apolitical celebration of the arts. The institution originated in the late 1950s during Republican President Dwight Eisenhower’s administration, which supported Democratic-led Congressional legislation calling for a National Culture Center. Democratic President John F. Kennedy launched fundraising initiatives in the early 1960s, and President Lyndon B. Johnson signed 1964 legislation renaming the project the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts, honoring Kennedy following his 1963 assassination.
AHMEDABAD, India (BN24) — An Air India flight bound for London’s Gatwick Airport crashed Thursday afternoon in a densely populated neighborhood of Ahmedabad, in India’s northwestern state of Gujarat, killing an unknown number of people and marking the first recorded crash of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, officials confirmed.
The aircraft, operating as Flight AI171, took off from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 1:38 p.m. local time before it plummeted into the Meghani Nagar residential area just five minutes into the flight. The widebody Boeing 787-8 was carrying 232 passengers and 12 crew members.
Television footage from the scene showed towering smoke columns rising above the crash site, as rescue teams swarmed the area. Emergency responders and aviation personnel were dispatched immediately, according to Faiz Ahmed Kidwai, director general of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation.
“This is a deeply tragic incident. Rescue teams have been mobilized and are providing urgent medical assistance and relief,” Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu said on X, formerly Twitter. “I am personally monitoring the situation and have directed all agencies to respond swiftly and in coordination.”
Air India, India’s flagship carrier, acknowledged the crash in a statement posted on X, noting that the airline is “ascertaining details” and will issue further updates. The airline referred to the crash as “an incident” as initial reports emerged from the crash site.
London Gatwick Airport confirmed it had been scheduled to receive AI171 at 6:25 p.m. local time and said it was coordinating with Indian authorities. The flight path and aircraft data show the Boeing 787 transmitted its final signal just seconds after takeoff, according to flight tracking service Flightradar24.
Police have cordoned off the impact zone in Meghani Nagar, where local media report multiple residential structures were damaged or destroyed by the crash and fire. There was no immediate word on survivors.
The crash marks a grim milestone for Boeing, as it is the first-ever fatal accident involving a 787 Dreamliner since the aircraft entered service in 2011, according to the Aviation Safety Network database.
As the investigation begins, both Indian and international aviation authorities are expected to examine flight data, crew communications, and mechanical records to determine the cause of the crash. Officials have not yet confirmed how many people may have died or survived.
LOS ANGELES (BN24) — Fresh off their UEFA Champions League triumph in Munich, Paris Saint-Germain arrived in Los Angeles on Tuesday to commence final preparations for the inaugural FIFA Club World Cup. The French champions are set to play their opening matches at the historic Rose Bowl in Pasadena as they chase a global title in a newly expanded competition.
“It’s a nice feeling because it’s a unique competition, a new competition,” said PSG Head Coach Luis Enrique. “We’re happy to be here. Now, it’s a moment to rest.” He added, “It’s the first Club World Cup, it’s amazing. We are looking forward to training and to competing next week.”
PSG is set to begin Group B play this Sunday with a high-profile clash against Spain’s Atlético Madrid, followed by a June 19 matchup against Brazil’s Botafogo. They will wrap up the group stage on June 24 against Major League Soccer side Seattle Sounders, with that match scheduled to take place in Seattle.
The tournament features an elite lineup of global clubs, including Real Madrid, Manchester City, and Bayern Munich. International stars such as Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior, and Erling Haaland are expected to headline the competition.
In anticipation of the tournament, Real Madrid finalized the early signing of England right back Trent Alexander-Arnold to ensure his participation. Midfielder Jude Bellingham is also reportedly postponing shoulder surgery to remain eligible for the competition.
Despite a challenging season that saw Manchester City finish without silverware, forward Phil Foden acknowledged the team’s mental fatigue but reaffirmed their resolve. “We are mentally drained,” he said. “But we’re determined to compete for this title.”
The new FIFA Club World Cup comes with high stakes—both in prestige and financial incentive. The winning team could collect up to $125 million from a record $1 billion prize pool, adding significant weight to the tournament’s allure.
BAGHDAD (BN24) — The United States is evacuating non-essential personnel and their families from its embassy in Baghdad, citing escalating security threats across the region amid faltering negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program, U.S. officials said Wednesday.
A U.S. State Department official told the BBC that the decision reflects a routine reassessment of staffing levels, adding, “Based on our latest analysis, we decided to reduce the footprint of our mission in Iraq.”
The evacuation comes as diplomatic talks between Washington and Tehran appear to have stalled, raising concerns over the potential for conflict. President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he is increasingly doubtful Iran will halt uranium enrichment efforts, a central issue in the negotiations.
Tensions surged earlier this week after Trump reportedly held a tense 40-minute phone conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has urged a more aggressive stance against Iran.
Pressed about the decision to evacuate staff from multiple U.S. posts across the Middle East, Trump acknowledged the deteriorating security situation. “They are being moved out because it could be a dangerous place, and we’ll see what happens,” he said. “We’ve given notice to move out, and we’ll see what happens.”
Iran’s Defense Minister, Aziz Nasirzadeh, warned that his country would retaliate against American bases in the region if talks failed and military action was taken. The statement added to fears that diplomatic breakdowns could spark a wider conflict.
Reuters reported that U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also approved the voluntary departure of family members of American military personnel stationed in countries such as Kuwait and Bahrain. The Pentagon confirmed the move during a congressional hearing, with officials noting there are “plenty of indications” Iran may be preparing to develop a nuclear weapon.
Tehran continues to insist its nuclear activities are intended solely for civilian energy production, denying any plans to develop atomic weapons.
The UK’s Maritime Trade Operations, a branch of the Royal Navy, issued a maritime security alert on Wednesday warning that elevated military tensions could disrupt commercial shipping in the region.
Following news of the evacuation, global oil prices spiked over 4% due to growing concerns about instability in the Middle East and its potential impact on energy supplies.
Approximately 2,500 U.S. troops remain deployed in Iraq, according to the Department of Defense.
NEW YORK (BN24) — A federal judge ruled Wednesday that the Trump administration cannot detain or deport Columbia University activist Mahmoud Khalil based solely on a determination made by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, handing a temporary legal victory to Khalil and civil liberties advocates.
U.S. District Judge Michael Farbiarz issued a preliminary injunction barring Khalil’s removal from the country, stating that the government’s attempt to justify his detention through an obscure provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952 is insufficient. The ruling will take effect Friday at 9:30 a.m., allowing the administration time to appeal.
Khalil, a former Columbia student who emerged as a prominent figure in campus demonstrations protesting Israel’s war in Gaza, has been detained since March following his arrest by federal agents. He has not been charged with a crime but has faced allegations from the Department of Homeland Security that he glorified and supported terrorist groups.
Rubio had invoked a Cold War-era clause in immigration law that allows the secretary of state to “personally determine” whether an individual poses a national security threat and should be expelled. Farbiarz rejected this reasoning, ruling that Khalil’s ongoing detention appears to stem primarily from Rubio’s assertion, rather than from any substantiated legal violation.
“The evidence is that lawful permanent residents are virtually never detained pending removal for those types of omissions,” Farbiarz wrote, referring to claims that Khalil had provided inaccurate information on his green card application. “That strongly suggests that it is the Secretary of State’s determination that drives the Petitioner’s ongoing detention — not the other charge against him.”
Khalil’s wife, Dr. Noor Abdalla, welcomed the judge’s decision in a statement released by the American Civil Liberties Union, one of several legal organizations representing him. “This is the news we’ve been waiting over three months for,” she said.
Ramzi Kassem, co-founder of the Center for Constitutional Rights and one of Khalil’s attorneys, called the ruling a vindication. “This confirms what Mahmoud has maintained since day one — that the government cannot detain or deport him based on Rubio’s say-so,” he said. Khalil’s legal team is now pushing for his immediate release.
The Department of Homeland Security and the State Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Khalil is among the first student activists to face federal immigration consequences under President Donald Trump’s intensified crackdown on Gaza-related protests. The administration has accused universities such as Columbia and Harvard of failing to protect Jewish students, with Trump recently threatening Columbia’s accreditation over alleged civil rights violations.
The ACLU described the ruling as “a huge win” and a critical check on executive power in immigration enforcement.
